Index
- Submit nominations now for 2019 SCLS Foundation Awards
- Trustee Training Week registration now open
- Member/Staff News
- Columbus Public Library seeks new director
- Call for Proposals: Lead the Way Conference is April 20-21, 2020
- Forward Analytics is new service from Counties Association
- Free library advocacy webinars available from EveryLibrary
- Continuing Education Calendar
Submit nominations now for 2019 SCLS Foundation Awards
In preparation for the 2019 SCLS Foundation’s Cornerstone Award Reception, the SCLS Foundation Board is now accepting nominations for the four library awards presented annually. The nomination deadline for this year's awards is Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at 5 p.m.
The Cornerstone Award reception honors an individual or individuals who have had a significant and long-term impact on enhancing public libraries in South Central Wisconsin and represent the values and mission of the South Central Library System Foundation. The 2019 Cornerstone Award recipient and reception location have not yet been announced, but nominations are open for the 2019 library awards.
The awards and descriptions are listed below, and the links will take you to the online nomination forms.
- Super Awesome Library Award -- For the library that was overall awesome in 2019. Maybe they handled a tough situation with grace. Or took a new approach. Or found a lot of money under a rock and did something really cool with it. Or got a lot of local support and kudos because they play well with others. Or are just plain super awesome every day.
- Program Wizard Award -- For a super creative, innovative and fun library program created by library staff. In the library or out. For babies or seniors or anyone in between. A one-off or a regular series. If Dumbledore thinks it's worthy of Wizard status, nominate it!
- Giddy Up Partner Award -- For those strong community partnerships that add value to the library and the community as a whole. It takes two, baby! Or three... or four. Nominate the library and its partner(s) and describe the amazing stuff they’re doing together.
- Outstanding Library Volunteer Award -- This award recognizes that outstanding volunteer who is instrumental in making your library what it is. This new award is presented annually to an individual who through their contributions has had a significant impact on library service in a single community.
Trustee Training Week registration now open
Registration is now open for Wisconsin Trustee Training Week, which will be held Aug. 12-16, 2019. There will be one webinar each day from noon-1 p.m. on a topic that’s relevant to public library boards, friends, and trustees. Webinars are available free of charge, and open to anyone.
The schedule of presentations is as follows:
- Monday, Aug. 12 -- Governing Libraries that Inspire Investment -- A primary role of the board is to secure adequate funding for the library. Hear from Rebekkah Smith Aldrich about making the case for funding and inspiring stakeholders to invest in your library. With fierce competition for public and private funds and changing perceptions about what a library actually does, it has never been more important to talk about the essential nature of your library to those you serve to those who make funding decisions about your library. During this webinar you will receive an introduction to the basic building blocks that need to be in place to inspire investment of funding and good will into your library, and you’ll get a front row seat to some of the latest thinking in the profession on how to ensure your library's future in an uncertain world. (register)
- Tuesday, Aug. 13 -- Free is Key: Ensuring Your Library is Meeting its Mission -- Join Dawn Wacek for a discussion of your library's mission and how fine policies may be working against you! Learn the ins and outs of going fine free and what library research and best practice recommendations show about the benefits of making your collection more accessible. (register)
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 -- Effective Library Advocacy -- Hear advice for effective library advocacy from Library Development & Legislation Committee (LD&L) Co-Chairs Connie Meyer and Kathy Pletcher. Covering everyday advocacy to decision-makers and stakeholders as well as Library Legislative Day, hear tips on who to talk to, when, and how from our presenters. (register)
- Thursday, Aug. 15 -- What Does Inclusivity Look Like at Your Library? -- What does inclusive mean to your library and its daily operations? Is your library inclusive? Join Shauna Koszegi, Adult Services Librarian from the Sun Prairie Public Library, as she gives you an overview of the newly released Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide. This guide will help you reflect on how your library can be a place where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. (register)
- Friday, Aug. 16 -- Recruiting and Retaining Library Directors and Staff -- Expectations are changing when it comes to how long library directors (and other library employees) stay at one job. Join Pat Wagner to learn more about how library boards can attract and retain quality leadership and personnel in a competitive market? What is the “new normal” in terms of director recruitment? Topics include improving board-director relations, reviewing finances and job descriptions, investing in support for better salaries and benefits, setting realistic goals, and being better talent scouts for future hires. (register)
You must register for each webinar individually using the links above, or at https://www.wistrusteetraining.com. More information is also available at that link, and you can also access recordings from the 2015-18 webinars.
Trustee Training Week is sponsored by the South Central Library System, with financial support from other Wisconsin Public Library Systems, plus the Division for Libraries and Technology and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Recordings of other SCLS Continuing Education webinars are available on the SCLS website at https://scls.typepad.com/programs/.
Dane County public libraries were selected by Forward Theater as its "Pay It Forward" partner for the month of May. The Pay It Forward initative is in conjunction with the theater's 10th season celebration -- for each month of this season, they choose one of the non-profits they've worked with over the years as the recipient of a gift. Forward Theater created a marketing video that the libraries can post or use in whatever way they wish.
Debbie Bird (pictured at right) is pleased to announce that she has accepted the Portage Public Library director position (effective June 17, 2019). Debbie comes from the Sun Prairie Public Library where for over 19 years she has been the Head of Technical Services. While Sun Prairie begins to iron out its strategic plan for a library expansion, Debbie will be slipping out into a new role at Portage. Portage has exciting directions to explore and Debbie is eager to assist the staff in facing challenges, realizing their ambitions and growing their talents. Debbie said Sun Prairie offered great opportunities for growth and challenges, and she now looks forward to taking those experiences and sharing what she's learned with Portage's vital, growing community. Debbie's spare time is spent out-of-doors with her husband and her dogs -- reading, gardening, eating, hiking, biking, and generally embracing the world.
The River Valley Libraries ofSpring Green, Plain, and Lone Rock (SWLS) were recently awarded a $2,500 Alliant Energy Foundation Grant for their shared 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. The shared program allows for participants to sign up at their home library and go to any library for their 100 prize increments. The grant will fund book bags to take home library books, a free book for every 100 level increment to build home libraries, press releases and social media to highlight milestones for participants, and a homecoming float to acknowledge the year's finishers. Spring Green Community Library is also the proud foster family to an adorable leopard gecko (pictured)! Wolverine comes to the library through the Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue based in northern Illinois and the Madison Herpetological Society. MHS board member Gwen Schwanke is an active library user and reptile program presenter. Gwen brought thisopportunity to us as a lifelong learningexperience for our patrons. And they LOVE seeing if our little buddy is awake. Volunteers provide bedding, housing, food, and reptile expertise. The staff feed, socialize, and
answer questions about our little buddy. Wolverine will be at the library for three months as he continues to gain weight and be socialized. We are happy to report that he already has a forever home waiting for him. More information about both organizations can be found at their online websites and Facebook pages! To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Children's Book Week, Spring Green Community Library co-hosted a free reading and showing of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" with the River Valley School District on Saturday, May 4. Sponsors of the event included the Gard Theater, Cardinal CG, Cardinal IG, Arcadia Books, and Culver's. We had a great turnout on a beautiful day!
Columbus Public Library seeks new director
Nationally recognized in 2017 by Library Journalas a “Best Small Libraries in America” finalist, the Columbus Public Library was also awarded an ALA Harwood Grant and an IMLS Community Engagement Grant. This busy, beloved library seeks a creative, dynamic community-minded director with the skills to manage daily activities as well as the leadership and vision to guide the library into the future.
Located 30 minutes northeast of Madison, the Columbus Public Library serves a city population of 5,000 plus several thousand patrons in surrounding Dodge, Dane and Columbia counties. The library includes the historic landmark building plus an annex with a bookstore, meeting/education spaces and artist studios. The 2018 operating budget was $440,000 with 10part- and full-time staff. Circulation in 2018 was 100,000 with more than 87,000 patron visits, including more than 8,000 children. The Library is home to the Friends of the Library and the Columbus Literacy Council. It coordinates activities with the Columbus Area Historical Society, the Columbus Senior Center, Columbus Community Hospital, local civic groups and area public schools. The library is a member of the South Central Library System and LINKcat consortium.
The library director reports to the Columbus Public Library Board of Trustees.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Overall administration of the library
- Supervision, motivation and review of staff
- Financial management including budgeting and reporting
- Maintenance and upgrading of technology
- Strategic planning
- Programming, outreach and community engagement
- Building oversight and project implementation
- Grant writing, fundraising/development
- Advocacy of the library before local and state government, civic groups and organizations
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Grade 2 Wisconsin Library certification required within two years of employment.
- Master of Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited institution (Grade 1 certification) preferred.
- Management and supervisory responsibility or five years of progressively more responsible library management experience.
Salary and benefits:
- Starting salary $58,000 - $68,000 plus a competitive benefits package
Application Deadline:
- May 28, 2019 @ 5:00 p.m. A complete job description is available on the City of Columbus website at cityofcolumbuswi.com and the Columbus Public Library website at www.ColumbusPublicLibrary.info.
Please send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to: Merry Anderson, CPL Search Committee at [email protected].
The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Standard background checks are required. Applicants with a disability may request accommodations needed in the application and/or interview process.
Call for Proposals: Lead the Way Conference is April 20-21, 2020
Do you have ideas to share about engaging your community?
Lead the Way: Libraries at the Heart of Community Engagement Conference is an ideal venue to share your exciting projects and practices! Librarians and staff from all types of libraries are invited to attend and present. The program committee will accept proposals until Sept. 6, 2019.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- community engagement for beginners
- how to be an engaged leader
- service outside the library
- making connections & partnerships within the community
- community engagement and strategic planning
- library as a lead community engagement institution
- community engagement as library advocacy
- services focused on diversity and inclusion
- community engagement related to all forms of accessibility
- teaching as a form of engagement
- leveraging technology to enhance engagement
- community engagement and programing re-boots
- using community data to inform decision making
- how to fund community engagement projects
- administrative strategies to foster community engagement
The Program Committee encourages presenters representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. The goal is for conference presenters to be as diverse as the communities they serve. Submissions are welcome from anyone who is interested in presenting, including students, new professionals, first-time presenters, and representatives of allied professions.
The committee will evaluate all of the submissions as individual entries, and how they fit within the balance of conference content as a whole. The Program Committee will evaluate all proposals submitted by the deadline using the following criteria:
- Clarity and completeness of the proposal, particularly having well-developed content and sufficient speakers to address all relevant aspects of the topic;
- Originality and relevance of the proposed topic;
- Uniqueness of content in relation to other conference presentations;
- A range of speaker experiences and representations
Please submit a 200-250 word description of your proposed session to Anna Palmer bySept 6, 2019. Sessions at the conference will be one hour. Please include an additional sentence or two about how this proposal aligns with the diversity, inclusion and equity statement outlined above. Note that the proposal will not be the finalized description for the conference program; the committee will contact selected speakers for a final draft. Panel presentations are accepted.
All selected proposals will receive one complimentary conference registration, which may be divided however the presenters of that session choose.
For more information, visit https://go.wisc.edu/ischool-engage, or contact Anna Palmer or Meredith Lowe.
Forward Analytics is new service from Counties Association
The Wisconsin Counties Association has formed a new research organization, Forward Analytics, to provide nonpartisan analysis of issues affecting the state. Its mission is “to use the best data available to highlight challenges facing the state, and to assist policymakers in understanding that data so they can make informed policy decisions.”Worker shortages, changing demographics, and the opioid crisis are among the issues impacting the direction of the state and counties.
Research Reports and a “data lab” (compiled state statistics) are freely available on their website: forward-analytics.net. Be sure to check out their latest report: Falling Behind: Migration Changes and State Workforce.
-- by Jody Hoesly for TechBits
Free library advocacy webinars available from EveryLibrary
The EveryLibrary Instutute recently announced the launch of its first set of library advocacy webinars on demand! EveryLibrary is offering these webinars on demand so that you can attend the pre-recorded webinars at a time that is most convenient for you. That means that you'll get instant access to these great webinars as soon as you register.
Throughout 2019 EveryLibrary will offer webinars across a wide range of advocacy, political, and funding topics. These webinars will include digital strategies, fundraising, legislative work and lobbying, legal issues in library advocacy, volunteerism and managing volunteers, paid and earned media, and so much more. Many of these upcoming webinars will be presented by a diverse panel of political and non-profit experts from across the country.
The introductory series of webinars are offered for free but more advanced webinars will have a cost associated with them. These are the webinars made available thanks to donations from library supporters.
- Legislative Day Training -- Library Legislative Day has the potential to be one of the most effective and politically powerful days of the year. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with your state’s leaders and advocate for renewed interest in funding libraries at the state level, build support for pieces of legislation that are favorable to libraries, and to cultivate political power to fight against anti-library legislation. This webinar is a great introduction to anyone who is interested in building relationships with legislators and cultivating the political power that libraries need at the state-level to ensure their future success. (more information & registration)
- Fundamentals of Library Advocacy -- The goal of this webinar is to introduce the tools libraries need to develop in order to identify, cultivate, and empower your local activists to take action for libraries. We'll show you what you need to do in your community in order to start to use those tools to build the real political power that you need in order to engage and influence community leaders. (more information & registration)
- Fighting Back When Cuts Are Threatened -- This ISTE School Librarians / EveryLibrary Institute webinar is designed to give you insights on what you can do to get started quickly on a campaign to safeguard your own position or budget, or to get organized across a district when cuts are threatened. Learn about the right way to engage parents and other stakeholders in the face of crisis, and get oriented to how SaveSchoolLibrarians.org can be put to work in support. If there is a threat to your position or budget, or to other school libraries or librarians across your district, know how to mobilize people to help you fight back. (more information & registration)
- Help Them Fund Your School Library -- Your school board and administration is considering next year’s budget right now. In this ISTE School Librarians / EveryLibrary webinar, learn easy to adapt techniques to frame the work you do and the program you run for budget success. With the right approach to data and to talking about your values as a school librarian and an educator, learn how to make a stronger case for new or renewed funding. (more information & registration)
- Power Map Your District for Advocacy Success -- Many of your funders and decision makers are not directly invested stakeholders in your program’s success. In this ISTE School Librarians / EveryLibrary webinar, learn how to Power Map the school ecosystem and your broader community to influence the superintendent, principal, board, or funding partners. The Power Map is a classic approach to identifying how to best reach and influence decision makers. As you move into the new school year, this webinar can help you form a clear idea of how to make your interactions more intentional and your funding more secure. (more information & registration)
- Using Social and Email to Maximize Your Visibility -- Your process for building support for your program’s funding starts with stakeholders being aware not only what you do but how they understand your impact on students and the school. In this ISTE School Librarians / EveryLibrary webinar you will learn techniques from established political and issue-campaigns to build better visibility about the way your program impacts student achievement. The session will provide an orientation to the “ladders of engagement” that build new paths to stakeholder and funder support. Learn about effective pathways to set up a digital communications strategy – whether you have access to the school or district website or not. (more information & registration)
As a recognized 501(c)3 organization, donations, gifts, bequests, devises and transfers made to The EveryLibrary Institute NFP are tax deductible to the full extent of the law and current regulations. EIN 81-4351204. If you're looking for an easy way to help support libraries across the country, EveryLibrary has partnered with the RoundUP Appso that small change from your purchases adds up to real change for American Libraries. (more information)